This week’s post is a little different.
I wanted to share with you this poem that features on the Aubrey Marcus Podcast. Below you can see the video of it being read out and I have provided a transcript below that for your convenience.
The poem is about the nature of our being, life and death, the world we all share and an insightful interpretation into our own personal roles in it.
Hopefully, you can take something away from the poem as I have and see the world around you a little differently. You can find the full interview and podcast (highly recommended) with Erick Godsey HERE.
Why
A kid asked me why, he didn’t need to say more
‘Cause in his eyes were alcohol, aderall, thoughts of suicide
I looked at him, and he was me, playing a different life
So I answered him, life is the best video game that we’ll ever make
I mean look around, you gotta admit, the graphics are insane
There are no controllers except for your brain
When your character gets hurt, you actually feel the pain
Not a single level is ever the same
And not only that, you get to have sex in this game!
You don’t ever have to play alone we’ve got 8 billion people in a
Massive multiplayer online, offline, in-line at the grocery store.
And that’s just the people; there are plants and animals,
Vegetables and minerals numerous, precious, delicious.
Every game has rules but no matter what parents, pastures,
Politicians tell you there is only one rule:
Make the game better for everyone.
Every game has obstacles, boss battles, that’s what makes the game worth playing.
So when something comes up inside, beside, outside,
It’s just a chance to level up.
The dragons make the heroes, the demons make the angels, pressure makes the diamond,
Iron sharpens iron, and this, right now, will make you.
So you can swallow a barrel, or too many pills, hit the reset button…
But when you get back home where there is no pain, no struggle, no victory, no gain,
You’re gonna miss this game.
So you’ll come back again to play another turn inside a new character that’ll never quite be you.
Or maybe by the time you’re ready to play again, the world won’t be accepting any more plays.
Life on Earth archived by the memory of time, like Sega Genesis from ’89.
Let me give you a cheat code to get you started.
Forgive yourself mercifully, love yourself ruthlessly,
Protect the Earth fiercely, treat people identically,
Compliment generously, cultivate community,
Dance expressively, have gratitude daily,
Orgasm regularly, forget your history and live…
Presently.
And if things get a little boring, take a few grams of mushrooms and howl at the fucking moon,
AWOOOOOOOO!
So just go ahead and play.
Play.
Play pain.
Play work.
Play laugh so hard that tears well up.
Play fight so hard that knuckles swell up.
Play artist painting your masterpiece.
Play hero living your odyssey.
Or play absolutely nothing at all.
However you want to, just play.
This is a game you win over a lifetime, not a day.
